Cedar Crest College

Biology major Courtney Zimmerman '22 and recent graduate Mercy Melo '21 were authors (with Dr. Allison Cornell, Penn State - Altoona and Dr. J.-F. Therrien, Hawk Mountain) on a research article published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. The paper "Nestling physiology is independent of somatic development in a common raptor, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius)" documents individual variation in chick development, particularly for physiological traits. Courtney and Mercy both contributed to data collection in the field, lab work, preliminary data analysis and writing of the paper.

Delphi is the college's honor society for undergraduate students. Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.8 at the end of their junior year or their senior year are recognized as members.

Congratulations to the following students for making the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester. The Dean's List recognizes students who have earned a grade point average of 3.65 or higher in the academic semester.

Fame is a stage musical based on the 1980 musical film of the same name. It has been staged under two titles; The first, Fame - The Musical conceived and developed by David De Silva, is a musical with a book by Jose Fernandez, music by Steve Margoshes, and lyrics by Jacques Levy. The musical premiered in 1988 in Miami, Florida. The second was as Fame on 42nd Street, where it was performed Off-Broadway at the Little Shubert Theatre on 42nd Street from 2003 to 2004. A group of vibrant, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, energetic young people gathers to audition to study at New York City's High School of Performing Arts. (Wikipedia)

Ashley Wilkins '21 presented a poster at the Tiny Earth Winter Symposium virtual conference on December 14, 2020. The poster entitled "Finding Novel Antibiotics Under Our Feet" was authored by Ashley Wilkins, Mercedes Melo '21, Emily Bianchini '20 and Jennifer Hayden, PhD, assistant professor of biology. Wilkins presented a long-term project initiated by Bianchini in BIO 227 Microbiology in the fall of 2018, continued by Wilkins as an independent research project and further pursued by Wilkins and Melo in BIO 227 in the fall of 2020. Tiny Earth is a network of instructors and students focused on discovering novel antibiotics in the soil, and this winter's online symposium was attended by Tiny Earth partners from across the world.

Four Master of Education, Art of Teaching students completed and presented their capstone projects to the Education Department: Danielle Jackson, "Importance of Student Choice of Seating: Traditional Desks and Chairs and Flexible Seating Options," advised by Dr. Melissa Kamyab Danielle Wolk, "The Impact of an Attendance Mentor Program on Chronically Absent, Second-Fifth Grade Students," advised by Dr. Melissa Kamyab Victoria Lindenmuth, "How is Behavior and Teachers' Perceptions affected when Implementing Positive Reinforcement, Classroom Management Strategies Compared to Negative Reinforcement Classroom Management Strategies?," advised by Dr. Ivonne Miranda Allison Pierson, "Early Learning Educators' Perspectives of Administrative Supports: Retaining High Quality Educators," advised by Dr. Ivonne Miranda

Elyse Podgurski has assisted the Education Department Cedar Crest College with the following achievements: Designed and authored the Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 editions of the Education Department Newsletter Assisted the Office Manager in centralizing Education Department data using an MS Access database Updated promotional content for the digital signage in the Education Department hallway Created the promotional flyer and certificate for the Howard Klopp Exemplary Teacher Award Assisted faculty in compiling and reviewing data for out-of-state teaching certification requirements nationwide

Students in the MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program recently presented posters at the St. Luke's 9th Annual Pulmonary and Critical Care Symposium held virtually in October. Senior NP students in Dr. Donna Martonik's class chose to present on the following current issues in healthcare: Emylio Cutiva BSN, RN, CCRN- Tele-ICU: Potential Benefits & Pragmatic Strategies; Shannon Dilger BSN, RN- The Psychological Impact of Pandemics on Health Care Workers; Sherry Evans BSN, RN, CCRN, PHRN- Development of the COACH (Clinical Observation and Critical Help) Nurse Program at Tower Health; Rianna Fornwalt BSN, RN, PCCN-ICU Delirium: Cause, Effect and Treatment; Sarah Kline BSN, RN-Benefits of Massage Therapy for Adult Patients in the Intensive Care Unit; Jennifer Lapp BSN, RN-Milrinone Treatment for Refractory Vasospasm Related to Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Janki Patel BSN, RN, CCRN-Intensive Glucose Control in Critically-Ill Patients; Brittany Zebro BSN, RN, CCRN- The Use of Multimodal Analgesia to Reduce Opioid Consumption in Surgical Patients.

Senior biology major Leslie Abreu and recent graduate Miranda Fetchen ('20) are co-authors on a research article published in the journal Environmental Entomology. The article, "Distribution, Survival, and Development of Spotted Lanternfly on Host Plants Found in North America" features a series of experiments that test the preference and suitability of potential host plants for the invasive spotted lanternfly. Miranda conducted one of these experiments in greenhouses on Cedar Crest Campus during the summer of 2018. Leslie worked for the US Department of Agriculture in the same year to conduct several experiments in the field. The findings will be used to make more informed pest management decisions for the spotted lanternfly.

Cedar Crest College Master of Forensic Science graduate student, Jane Berger, was the lead author on a manuscript entitled "Ultraviolet Absorption Properties of Synthetic Cathinones" which was just published in Forensic Chemistry, a leading peer-reviewed journal in forensic science. Also listed as authors: Dr. Marianne Staretz, Cedar Crest College Associate Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Matthew Wood, Director of the Ocean County (NJ) Sheriff's Department Forensic Laboratory, and Dr. Thomas Brettell, Cedar Crest College Professor of Chemistry. The publication can be accessed via the following link: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1bx2Y8nCdIyn3A

On Saturday, October 17th, Felicia Kern (Nursing), Emily Krupski (Business), Karen Long (Business), and Glenna Weeks (Early Childhood Education) were inducted into the Delta Pi chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda. To be eligible for membership in Alpha Sigma Lambda, the national honor society for adult learners, students must have earned at least 24 graded credits and achieved a GPA in the top 20% of adult undergraduate students at the college.

At the 46th annual meeting of the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists held virtually from October 14-17, Cedar Crest College won 5 of 8 student awards. Considering everything that has happened this year, this is quite an accomplishment. The award and recipients are as follows: Kimberly Hane - Recipient of the George Neighbor Memorial Scholarship; Amber Rose - Recipient of the George Chin Memorial Scholarship; Kirsten Siegfried - Recipient of the Carol De Forest Research Grant (mentor-Lindsey Welch); Alexandra Arabio - Recipient of the Peter De Forest Research Award (undergraduate division) (mentors - James Hammer, Larry Quarino); Amber Rose - Recipient of the Peter De Forest Research Award (graduate division) (mentor - Thomas Brettell).

Bringing criminal justice professionals to campus and sponsoring activities for the well-being and entertainment of the campus community. President - Victoria Kohn VP - Adrian Mast Secretary - Treasurer - Zaria Berry

We are a club that studies the Bible and investigates the scriptures, to get to know Jesus and spend time in fellowship with each other. President - Megan Dougherty VP - Chelsea Tito Secretary - Valerie Van Boven Treasurer - Abigail Thompson

To educate about the importance and relevance of history and political science. President - Kendal Nichols VP - Carlie Gausch Secretary - Treasurer -

Enthuse about literature club. President - Shaylin Troiano VP - Secretary - Shaylin Troiano Treasurer - Nicky Gupta

Open to all students of Cedar Crest who are interesting in participating in volunteer opportunities and nutrition-related activities. President - Anna Rasmussen VP - Moriah Wiedemeier Secretary - Jennifer Santa Treasurer - Cassandra Ponce

To educate, host events, and spark interest in local and global environmental and sustainability issues. President - Kiera Shellhammer VP - Cassidy Niederland Secretary - Kassie Root Treasurer -Kaylyn Brindisi

President - Madisyn Yakscoe Vice President - Alivia Moore Secretary - Samantha Briskin Treasurer -

Psi Chi, an affiliate of the American Psychological Association and American Psychological Society, is the national honor society in psychology. It is open to students with either a major or minor in psychology who have completed at least three courses in the department, have a "B" average, and a cumulative average placing them in the upper third of their class. Lifetime membership is achieved through a formal installation by invitation and is held usually in the spring and fall. President - Mercury Waguespack Vice President - Melanie Paolini Secretary - Brenna Desborough Treasurer - Jennifer Schreiner

Social Work Club is open to any student who is interested in current coal issues and policy. As a club, we aim to meet the needs of the growing number of students entering the many areas related to Sociology and the Social Sciences. President - Shayonna Escalera VP - Secretary - Treasurer -

To give people the opportunity to engage in physical activities. President - Erika Schwoyer VP - Kaitlyn Kozdron Secretary - Telena Jones Treasurer - Rachel Savini

We represent the residents of the Halls. President - Ashley Wilkins VP - Dana Wood Secretary - Carly Wood Treasurer - Khara Ekes

To promote social engagement at Cedar Crest College. President - Kara Brownlie VP - Rebecca Fox Secretary - Leannie Jusino Treasurer - Daria Warner

Kimberly Hane, a senior Forensic Science and Genetic Engineering double major, has been awarded the George W. Chin Memorial Scholarship, which includes $2,000 and an Associate membership for one year in the NEAFS organization. The review committee felt she was "a well deserving candidate for this scholarship, with strong recommendations from [her] advisors, and well thought out aspirations and goals." In addition to being a strong academic, Kim is a lab assistant in the Department of Biological Sciences and has been conducting forensic DNA-based research in the laboratory of Dr. K. Joy Karnas, Professor of Biology, since her first semester at Cedar Crest. Her primary research project focuses on the use of quantitative PCR for crime scene bloodstain identification, but she has also been advancing a second study examining the use of oral cavity specific microbes to differentiate expirated and impact blood spatter. Kim has previously been awarded research grants from the Pennsylvania Academy of Science and Beta Beta Beta Honor Society to conduct these research projects, and she hopes to present her data in regional and national meetings this year. She will be applying for PhD programs in Molecular Biology and Genetics to continue her academic pursuits after graduation.

Kirsten "KP" Siegfried, a graduate student in the Masters' Program in Forensic Science, has been awarded the Carol De Forest Forensic Science Research Grant for her proposed project titled "Detection of benzodiazepines in biological samples through optimization of chemiluminescence reagents." This grant is in the amount of $2,500, and will be used to fund the purchase of chemicals and research supplies, in addition to funding travel to the annual meeting of the North Eastern Association of Forensic Scientists in Fall 2021. At this meeting, KP will present the results of this research. This project is being advised by Dr. Lindsey Welch, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences.

Welcome to Cedar Crest College!

The Aspire program provides opportunities for incoming first-year students to engage in full-time original scientific research prior to the start of the fall semester. By participating in Aspire, students get a jump start on the transition to college, start earning college credit early, sharpen key academic skills, and learn research skills through hands-on learning guided by experienced faculty. Students in Aspire will work directly with a faculty member in the biological, chemical, or physical sciences, to learn about what inspires faculty to ask research questions and develop research designs and get hands-on experience collecting and analyzing data. Student Mentors: Brianna Gregory Rachel Justice Ashley Wilkins

Cedar Crest College celebrated its 150th Commencement Ceremony. The event was an abbreviated outdoor ceremony held on the steps of Blaney Hall on the Cedar Crest College Campus on August 15, 2020. Graduates were separated into several time slots and were presented with their diplomas one at a time to keep with social distancing guidelines. President Elizabeth M. Meade, PhD and Provost Robert Wilson, PhD each gave brief remarks before conferring the degrees. College prizes and awards were announced and students graduating with honors wore corresponding cords, traditionally presented during the ceremony. Each graduate was permitted only a small number of family or friends to watch in order to maintain health and safety guidelines.

Cedar Crest College celebrated the Class of 2020 virtually this year by providing students with a message from President Elizabeth Meade, posting online pictures, and creating a website dedicated to the graduates. The website can be found by visiting: https://www.cedarcrest.edu/may9/index.shtm.